“Not being able to train to being here” Rafael Nadal overjoyed after winning his 4th Acapulco Open title
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Rafael Nadal lifting his 2022 Acapulco Open trophy
Seeded 4th at the tournament, Rafael Nadal dashed past opponents without dropping a single set to win the 2022 Acapulco Open title. Up against Cameron Norrie, Nadal won the match 6-4, 6-4 in 1 hour and 54 minutes. This was Nadal’s 4th title at the tournament from the 5 final appearances and now has the distinction of being both the youngest and the oldest champion of the tournament.
In another disciplined performance, Nadal had 0 double faults, 3 aces, saved 3 breakpoints from the 5 he faced and went on to convert 4 of his 5 breakpoint opportunities in the finals. Norrie from the other side of the net had 2 double faults, 4 aces, 1 breakpoint saved from the 5 he had to defend and could win only 2 out of the 5 breakpoint opportunities he had. Nadal finished with 63 points while Norrie finished with 53.
The win takes Nadal to 91 career titles and is now just 4 titles away from going past Ivan Lendl‘s career tally of winning 94 career titles. Nadal also extends his season record to 15-0 winning 3 titles from 3 tournaments with the ATP-250 Melbourne Summer Set followed by the 2022 Australian Open and now the ATP-500 Acapulco Open 2022.
“For me the most important thing today is that I have won an important tournament. A few weeks ago all this seemed unbelievable, to go from not being able to train, to being at this moment. I never would have imagined being in the position I am in right now. I’m fine, I’m very happy, I haven’t lost a set throughout the tournament.
“Physically, I felt very good despite the intense humidity that reigned in this tournament. I answered well. I have already had a long career. When I first came it was all new to me and maybe winning is more valuable now than when I was 18. It’s incredible to still be able to win a tournament like this for 35 years” said Nadal during the press conference.
Rafael Nadal to next play at the Indian Wells
Having already won 15 consecutive matches on hardcourts this season, the Spaniard will now be heading to the Californian desert for the 2022 Indian Wells Masters where he will return for the first time since his semi-final exit from the 2019 edition.
With the 2020 edition cancelled due to the Pandemic, Nadal did not participate in the 2021 edition as the tournament was held in October with Rafa having ended his season already. Nadal has won the Indian Wells Masters on 3 occasions, in 2007, 2009 and 2013 with a runner-up finish in 2011. Nadal will also see a change in his ranking as he will now be the new World No. 4 when the rankings are updated on 28th February 2022.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)